Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Edge rusher is likely to be firmly on the New Orleans Saints’ radar going into the 2026 NFL Draft. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the team would be at a loss if it ends up unable to snag one in the first round.
New Orleans can find solace in the fact that the edge rusher class is deep in 2026. One player that is a perfect illustration of that is one of the nation’s sack leaders in 2025, Western Michigan EDGE Nadame Tucker.
Should the Saints miss their chance to pick up an impactful pass rusher in the first two days, hope is far from lost.
Western Michigan EDGE Nadame Tucker
Age: 25
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 247 pounds
Arm length: 31 ⅜ inches
Hand size: 9 inches
Athletic Testing
40-yard dash: 4.73 seconds
Vertical: 33 ½ inches
Broad jump:9-foot-11
3-cone: 7.44 seconds
Short shuttle: 4.68 seconds
Nadame Tucker broke out with 14.5 Sacks and 4 FF’s in 2025 after transferring to Western Mich. Some game film of his sacks and pass rush moves follows here.#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/BqafoN6k7b
— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) March 26, 2026
A fluid mover and explosive pass rusher, Tucker would be an excellent fit across from Saints’ top defensive end Chase Young. His athletic frame is well constructed and he has the speed and agility necessary to work in the Saints’ system.
Tucker would also be able to co-exist pretty easily with defensive end Cameron Jordan, who is currently a free agent. Jordan could seek out a return to the Big Easy should a role be available and suitable for him following the draft.
While Tucker is a talented player, he will need some development and therefore having a veteran back to take the lion’s share of the rotation while Tucker focuses on a specific role could be a comfortable arrangement for all parties.
2025 Stats
Tackles: 55
Tackles for a loss: 21
Sacks: 14.5 (T-No. 1 in the Nation)
Fumbles forced: 4
Passes defended: 1
Nadame Tucker with two very quick wins during team drills on day 2
Lots of question marks in his profile, but he’s looked awesome this week pic.twitter.com/SY67n2AbmR
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 29, 2026
Pros
- Extremely productive as a full-time starter in 2025.
- Relentless effort player with a high motor.
- Diverse move set when attacking as a pass rusher.
- Met the challenge of higher competition at the Senor Bowl.
- Explosive off the line of scrimmage.
- Experience dropping back into coverage.
- Runs the arc with ease as a speed rusher.
Opportunities for Growth
- Older prospect (will turn 26 in June) that transferred away from Houston to get playing time.
- Gets a little loose as a tackler, resulting in missed opportunities.
- Can struggle setting the edge against the run.
- Counter development needed in the power game.
The Bottom Line
Although Tucker is an older prospect, his high level of athleticism and production are promising. If he were available early in Day 3, he feels like a solid option to continue the team’s recent fourth-round success.
He could start off playing a pass rusher specialist role opposite Young while continuing to develop as a run defender at the next level. The promise that he showed when asked to drop into space last year makes him a unique consideration for New Orleans. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley asked edge defender Carl Granderson to drop into coverage just over 100 times last year. If Tucker can handle that responsibility, his usage rate could tick up sooner rather than later if drafted.
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